We like to think a perfect process for getting things done exists, but in most real world applications it's just not possible. As design blog Happy Cognition points out, flexibility is necessary in every job, on every project, and if you don't allow for it you'll miss obvious answers.

A one-size-fits all approaches doesn't work for most jobs, and unless you're actually doing the same thing over and over again at work, it's necessary to change your process now and again. Happy Cognition explains:

To me a good process... Is built from a collection of interchangeable parts. These parts can be tangible artifacts, like prototypes, style tiles, mood boards, and full-page comps. They can also be the tools we use to create these artifacts, like Photoshop, HTML prototypes, and paper sketches. Communication methods like phone calls, Basecamp messages, and in-person meetings are even part of the arsenal, because how we talk about our work is just as important as the work itself.

Is adaptable. If an artifact isn't resonating, it should be painless to adjust or switch it out for one that works better for the task at hand.

Being flexible is tough, and last minute changes to any process are going to cause a wrinkle in your workflow, but as Happy Cognition points out, you can at least plan for that by making sure it's painless to pull out parts and replace them with new ones whenever possible. Head over to Happy Cognition for a few more ideas and questions you can ask yourself to ensure you're remaining as flexible with your work process as possible.